If Astronomers Could Have Turned a Receiver Toward the Heavens

question 184

Multiple Choice

If astronomers could have turned a receiver toward the heavens in hopes of observing the cosmic microwave radiation 4.5 billion years ago, at the time the solar nebula was forming, what would they have found?

• A) They would have seen nothing since the cosmic microwave background had not yet been created.
• B) They would have seen the same blackbody curve seen now, with a peak intensity at a wavelength of about 1 mm.
• C) They would have seen a blackbody curve of the same shape seen now but with a peak intensity at a wavelength shorter than 1 mm.
• D) They would have seen a blackbody curve of the same shape seen now but with a peak intensity at a wavelength longer than 1 mm.

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